Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Introduction

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos offer a delightful fusion of crispy, spicy shrimp with creamy sauce wrapped in soft tortillas. This recipe combines bold flavors and textures for a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, soak the shrimp in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to tenderize and flavor the shrimp.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
3. Step 3: Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each shrimp in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
4. Step 4: Dip the floured shrimp back into the buttermilk, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
5. Step 5: Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Adjust the heat level to your preference.
7. Step 7: To assemble the tacos, place a handful of shredded cabbage on each tortilla, top with fried shrimp, drizzle with the bang bang sauce, and add avocado slices.
8. Step 8: Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, add sliced radishes or pickled onions to the tacos.
• Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free alternative.
• Adjust the sriracha amount to control the spice level of the sauce.
• To save time, prepare the bang bang sauce ahead and refrigerate.
• Serve with fresh cilantro for a bright herbal note.

Storage

Store leftover fried shrimp and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat shrimp in a hot oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess. Assemble tacos just before serving to keep tortillas fresh.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp can be used. Make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before soaking in buttermilk to ensure proper coating and frying.

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using to mimic the acidity of buttermilk.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe

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4.7 from 123 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos feature tender shrimp coated in a spiced flour and panko breadcrumb crust, fried to golden perfection, then topped with a creamy spicy mayo sauce, fresh shredded cabbage, and creamy avocado slices, all served on warm flour tortillas with a zesty lime squeeze. This quick and delicious shrimp taco recipe brings a vibrant combination of crunchy texture, spicy heat, and fresh toppings perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or fun gathering.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 tacos 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Shrimp and Coating

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Bang Bang Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)

Tacos Assembly

• 8 small flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Soak Shrimp: In a bowl, combine the shrimp and buttermilk. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and impart flavor to the shrimp.
2. Prepare Seasoned Flour: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoned dredging flour.
3. Dredge Shrimp in Flour: Remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting the excess drip off. Coat each shrimp thoroughly in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess coating.
4. Coat Shrimp with Panko: Dip the floured shrimp back into the buttermilk briefly, then press into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated, ensuring a crispy crust.
5. Fry Shrimp: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Fry shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain shrimp on paper towels to remove excess oil.
6. Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Taste and adjust the heat to your liking by adding more sriracha if desired.
7. Assemble Tacos: Lay out the flour tortillas and top each with a handful of shredded cabbage, several fried shrimp, a drizzle of the bang bang sauce, and avocado slices.
8. Serve: Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top, adding a fresh citrus brightness to each bite.

Notes

• For extra crispiness, ensure the oil is at the right temperature before frying shrimp.
• You can substitute buttermilk with milk plus a tablespoon of lemon juice if needed.
• Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce based on your preferred spice level.
• Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a gluten-free option, but check the ingredient labels.
• Leftover fried shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.
• Be careful not to overcrowd the pan while frying to maintain oil temperature.

Keywords: Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, Fried Shrimp, Spicy Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Sauce, Quick Shrimp Recipe